1.) 8,362 mi: The distance between Racine, WI and Sisaket, Thailand
2.) Approximately 2 months (probably about a week less): time before departure
1+2= a minor freakout
I have less than two months left before I leave, and I have tons to do. I have to pack, buy presents for my host families, make pins, buy a blue blazer, go to some Rotary events in Racine, read my culture shock book, and learn Thai. Now, if that was all that I had planned for this summer, maybe I would be less worried. (I mean, probably not because I'm me, but it would seem easily manageable.) My problem is that I decided to plan 800 other things for this summer: a trip to Portland, Oregon for General Assembly, a week at my friend's cabin, an Ed Sheeran concert at Summer fest, a long weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan for our Rotary District conference, a few days at my cabin with my grandparents, a few days at my cabin for the 4th of July, a week with the mini musketeers (a group of my cousins), my grad party/birthday party, tons of friends' grad parties, and just spending time with all of my friends before they all leave for colleges on different ends of the country. So... I have to do all of that plus prepare for Rotary. Hence, slight panic has ensued.
I've always been a busy person with more things to do that I know how to handle. It becomes a way of life, a balancing act, and yes, sometimes I fall and the pieces I was balancing come crashing down, but those are the times when I've learned how to manage even better. I pick myself back up, prioritize what is important and start to balance those activities again. This summer will be a balancing act, and I'm not complaining. I'm excited for all the incredible opportunities that I am able to experience, but I need to make sure that these opportunities do not get in the way of my preparation for Thailand. 11 months in Thailand is a long time and I want to be as prepared as I can.
Updates:
1.) Hayden commented on how I haven't been talking with my hands. SUCCESS
2.) My showers are less than 6 minutes... if only I could figure out how to shave my legs in that time as well....
3.) I'm not sure if my tones are correct when I speak Thai... but I'm trying.
4.) I bought mini Jelly Belly packets to bring with me to Thailand. I may make a painting of something in Wisconsin for my host family as part of their gift.
5.) I got a computer that I'm going to take with me to Thailand.
6.) Oh, I officially graduated high school! :)
I'll try to check a few things off my to-do list before I post again, so I have more to update than just the fact that I'm still freaking out. I doubt the excitement and slight fear will ever subside, but I guess that's how I know I'm doing something worth doing.
Until next time,
Sam
2.) Approximately 2 months (probably about a week less): time before departure
1+2= a minor freakout
I have less than two months left before I leave, and I have tons to do. I have to pack, buy presents for my host families, make pins, buy a blue blazer, go to some Rotary events in Racine, read my culture shock book, and learn Thai. Now, if that was all that I had planned for this summer, maybe I would be less worried. (I mean, probably not because I'm me, but it would seem easily manageable.) My problem is that I decided to plan 800 other things for this summer: a trip to Portland, Oregon for General Assembly, a week at my friend's cabin, an Ed Sheeran concert at Summer fest, a long weekend in Grand Rapids, Michigan for our Rotary District conference, a few days at my cabin with my grandparents, a few days at my cabin for the 4th of July, a week with the mini musketeers (a group of my cousins), my grad party/birthday party, tons of friends' grad parties, and just spending time with all of my friends before they all leave for colleges on different ends of the country. So... I have to do all of that plus prepare for Rotary. Hence, slight panic has ensued.
I've always been a busy person with more things to do that I know how to handle. It becomes a way of life, a balancing act, and yes, sometimes I fall and the pieces I was balancing come crashing down, but those are the times when I've learned how to manage even better. I pick myself back up, prioritize what is important and start to balance those activities again. This summer will be a balancing act, and I'm not complaining. I'm excited for all the incredible opportunities that I am able to experience, but I need to make sure that these opportunities do not get in the way of my preparation for Thailand. 11 months in Thailand is a long time and I want to be as prepared as I can.
Updates:
1.) Hayden commented on how I haven't been talking with my hands. SUCCESS
2.) My showers are less than 6 minutes... if only I could figure out how to shave my legs in that time as well....
3.) I'm not sure if my tones are correct when I speak Thai... but I'm trying.
4.) I bought mini Jelly Belly packets to bring with me to Thailand. I may make a painting of something in Wisconsin for my host family as part of their gift.
5.) I got a computer that I'm going to take with me to Thailand.
6.) Oh, I officially graduated high school! :)
I'll try to check a few things off my to-do list before I post again, so I have more to update than just the fact that I'm still freaking out. I doubt the excitement and slight fear will ever subside, but I guess that's how I know I'm doing something worth doing.
Until next time,
Sam